Inhibition of Sulfate Reduction to Sulfide by 9,10-Anthraquinone in In Vitro Ruminal Fermentations

¹ Delaware Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark 19717-1303

We studied the effects of sulfur and 9,10-anthraquinone on invitro ruminal fermentation and production of hydrogen sulfide. A complete, pelleted diet containing 26.8% acid detergent fiber, 15.9% crude protein, and 0.25 to 0.29% sulfur was used as the basal substrate. Fermentations were conducted using the basal substrate and various sulfur additions (elemental sulfur, thiosulfate, calcium sulfate, and sodium sulfate) with or without varying amounts of 9,10-anthraquinone. An increase in the sulfur content of the substrate >1.0% with various sources of sulfur had minimal effects on concentrations of volatile fatty acids, but the production of hydrogen sulfide increased. High amounts of 9,10-anthraquinone (10 and 25 ppm of fluid) decreased the molar proportion of acetate and decreased the production of methane and hydrogen sulfide. However, 9,10-anthraquinone increased the molar proportions of propionate and butyrate. Approximately 70% of 9,10-anthraquinone was recovered after 24 h of in vitro ruminal fermentation. These findings suggest that 9,10-anthraquinone has the potential to reduce the production of methane and hydrogen sulfide in ruminal fermentations.

Key Words: anthraquinone • sulfur • sulfide

Submitted on July 15, 1997
Accepted on April 3, 1998

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Kung Jr., K. A. Smith, A. M. Smagala, K. M. Endres, C. A. Bessett, N. K. Ranjit, and J. Yaissle Effects of 9,10 anthraquinone on ruminal fermentation, total-tract digestion, and blood metabolite concentrations in sheep J Anim Sci, January 1, 2003; 81(1): 323 - 328. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]